International Symposium on Science of Science

03/22/2016 - 03/23/2016 - Library of Congress

The increasing availability of large-scale datasets that capture major activities in science has created an unprecedented opportunity to explore the patterns of scientific production and reward with rich mathematical and computational models. In contrast with standard bibliometric studies, the recent surge in science of science studies is characterized by distinct features: (i) They typically rely on large-scale datasets, ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of authors, papers and their citations; (ii) Instead of evaluating metrics, they use models to more deeply probe the mechanisms driving science, from knowledge production to scientific impact, systematically distinguishing predictable from random patterns; (iii) Ambition and a diversity of purposes, ranging from work that partners with scientists involved to help drive discovery, the reformulation of science and innovation policy, and use of science as an observatory to probe phenomena that are more universal and widely applicable than the institutions of science themselves. As such, the tools and perspectives vary, involving social scientists, information and computer scientists, economists, physicists and mathematicians, with results published in venues with non-overlapping readership.

Most important, this proliferating subject has direct relevance and implications for various parties. This includes program directors from NSF, NIH, defense and intelligence communities, private foundations, publishers such as the Nature Publishing Group, Science, Elsevier, as well as companies that produce and aggregate data—the input of science of science research—such as Google, Microsoft, Thomson Reuters, Allen AI, and more.

The goal of this two-day event is to provide a multi-channel communication platform that brings together both “producers” and “consumers” of the science of science research, including presentations by leading researchers in the field and multiple panel discussions involving a range of aforementioned parties.

Supported by the NSF SciSIP program, this event is free of registration fees.